Combination uterine dilator and gauze packer



Feb. 3, 1948. A. B. CARMICHAEL, SR

COMBINATION UTERINE DILATOR AND GAUZE PACKER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 8, 1945 Inventor 1754 51647772 25/2462, jz'

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' I Attorneys Feb. 3, 1948. A. B. CARMICHAEL, SR 2,435,531

COMBINATION UTERINE DILATOR AND GAUZE PACKER Filed Oct. 8, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor fizwaai izw Patented Feb. 3, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINATION UTERINE DILATOR AND GAUZE PACKER Asa B. Carmichael, Sr., Tujunga; Galif.

Application October 8, 1945, Serial'No. 621,129

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to=new and useful improvements in surgical instruments and more particularly to a combined uterine dilator and auze a e Y An important object of thepresent invention is to provide a device of this character whereby a unitary instrument is provided and adapted for introduction in the cervical canal of the uterus for expanding the same together with a uterine packer by means of which a narrow strip of gauze may be forced into the uterus to control hemorrhages and for other purposes where a packer of this character is desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a surgical instrument of this character embodying means whereby either of the instruments may be used independently of the other.

A still further object is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction, whichis efiicient and reliable in operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing a device in closed position.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the jaws of the dilator in open position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the front end of the instrument.

Figures 4, and 6 are transverse sectional views taken respectively On the lines 4-4, 5-5 and 6-6 of Figure 1, and

Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the packer tube.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 designates the dilator generally and the numeral 6 designates the gauze packer generally.

The dilator 5 comprises a pair of handles 1 arranged in side by side relation and pivotally connected to each other by means of a pivot pin 8. The front ends of the handles are formed to provide a pair of jaws 9 of semi-cylindrical form having flat opposed sides Ill positioned in confronting relation when the jaws are closed. The tips of the jaws are formed with semi-spherical heads I l forming a ball when the jaws are closed and adapted to facilitate the entrance of the jaws 2. into the canal l2 of the cervix or neck'portion l3 of the body of a uterus M to thus dilate the neck of the uterus. Thejaws 9v arecurved upwardly, as shown more-clearly in Figure 3 of the. drawings, to more easily accomplish the introduction thereof into the uterus,

The rear ends of the handles 1 are formed with laterally inwardly projecting extensions l5 arranged in overlapping relation as shown more clearly in Figure 5 of the drawings, one of the extensions being formed on its upper surface with spaced notches l6 and the other of said extensions on its opposed face being formed with a lug or detent l1 adapted for selective engagement in the notches Hi to secure the jaws 9 in an adjustable open position.

A front arcuate clip or guide [8 is carried by the pivot pin 8 of the dilator and a similar guide I9 is carried by one of the extensions l5 by means of a pin 20 which is slidably received in a slot 2| of the other of said extensions.

The packer 6 comprises a longitudinally split tube 22 having its split sections hingedly connected to each other at one edge by means of a conventional form of hinge structure 23, the tube 22 being adapted for expanding and contracting movement by means of a transversely split collar 24 having its sections secured respectively to the sections of the tube and provided with a set screw 25 threaded through one of the sections of the collar and into the other section of the collar at its free edges, the manipulation of the screw serving to open and close the free edges of the collar and thus to likewise open and close the free edges of the tube 22 to expand the tube into the position as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. A liner 26 is secured to one section of the tube 22 at its free edge for closing the edges of the section of the tube when in its expanded position.

In the operation of the device the jaws 9 of the dilator 5 are closed by the handles 1 as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings and then inserted in the neck l3 of the uterus. The handles 1 are then squeezed to spread the jaws 9 apart as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings whereby to expand or dilate the neck l3.

The tube 22 of the packer 6 is slidably carried in the guides l8 and I9 and is normally positioned with its front end behind the jaws 9 as shown in Figure 3 during the introduction of the jaws into the neck of the uterus. After the neck has been dilated by the jaws, the tube 22 is then moved forwardly in the guides to enter the uterus and the gauze contained in the tube is ejected 3 into the uterus by means of a conventional form of plunger 21 operated by a handle 28 at the rear end of the tube.

It will be apparent either the dilator 5 or packer 6 may be used separately or in combination, when desired by removing the packer from the guides I8 and H or by mounting the packer V therein.

In view o'f the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art.

A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary. p g

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described-a-- preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully coinpi' hended by the spirit ofthe invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claim; What is claimed is: 7 r 7 "A uterus dilator including a pair of handles having front end jaws adapted for insertion-in the neck of the uterus, said handlesbeing pivoted file of this patent:

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ipurrnb s'rA'rEs PATENTS Number x Naina Date I 102,997- Pugh ..--5 June 24, 1902 724,889 Kochenderfer Apr. 7, 1903 '1,969, 671 Nelson 71,193 IFOR I HP T I'II 'ITII I Number Country Date ASA B; CARMICHAEL, SR;

Germany Mar. 1 1, 1901 

